You've Got ... Options
Four Simpler Ways to Check Your AOL E-Mail

By WALTER S. MOSSBERG
Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Years ago, when America Online was the only decent consumer online service, many people used it as a complete online environment, their favored location for e-mail, Web browsing, news, sports, weather, discussion forums-everything. AOL encouraged this by designing an enormous software program that wrapped you in its arms and wouldn't let go.

These days, however, there are those among AOL's dwindling membership who use it for just one thing: e-mail. And most of these folks still fire up AOL's huge software program to manage it. The problem is, the program is clumsy, bombarding you with promotions for features you don't use. Even the e-mail module sticks you with an interface that, while recently improved, is still lacking.

For instance, even the latest version of the AOL software provides you with a substandard automatic preview pane-you must double-click on each message to view it, and the window in which it shows up is stingy. Also, you can't sort all your messages into folders automatically or view mail from multiple accounts, even multiple AOL accounts. AOL does offer Web-based e-mail that is accessible from a browser, but it's crude and lacks many of the better functions of a good e-mail program.

However, there are now four different ways to read your AO Le-mail that bypass the traditional AOL software. Here's a rundown of these options:

IMAP: This spring, without fanfare, AOL quietly broke with tradition and began allowing members to manage AOL e-mail within programs like Microsoft Outlook-including access to all the features of those programs-simultaneously with any other corporate or Internet e-mail accounts they have. The catch is that you have to set up your AOL account within your e-mail program as an "IMAP" account. Most e-mail accounts are called either "Exchange" accounts, if they're corporate e-mail, or "POP3" accounts, if they're from typical e-mail services like Earthlink. But there's a third type called IMAP, which allows e-mail services from Internet providers to synchronize folders on your PC with those on a server, much like corporate e-mail. AOL has chosen the IMAP route for its new approach.

It sounds more complicated than it is. Common programs like Outlook and Outlook Express on Windows, as well as Entourage and Apple's Mail program on the Mac, can all handle IMAP. You just have to be sure to pick the right settings when creating the new AOL account within these programs. Fortunately, AOL has posted step-by-step instructions for setup, which you can find within AOL's service by typing in the keyword "Open Mail Access." I've tested it, and it works fine.

Communicator: Another little-known option is AOL Communicator, a free program that comes in versions for Windows and the Mac. Communicator looks and works like Outlook and is designed to handle AOL e-mail and instant messages without running the main AOL software. It's fast and nicely designed. Best of all, it manages multiple AOL accounts as well as other POP3or IMAP accounts. You can get it in the Downloads section of AOL's Webpage, www.aol.com, or from within AOL, at keyword "Communicator."

Third-Party Software: If you'd rather not use IMAP and want to manage your AOL e-mail with a POP3 program, there are two third-party software utilities for Windows only that will do so. Both let you receive and send AOL e-mail in Outlook, Outlook Express and other e-mail programs. ENetBot can be downloaded for $19.95 at www.enetbot.com, and email2POP, for $25.76, atwww.email2pop.com. Both offer free trials, but neither is as simple to set up or use as AOL's IMAP option.

I said there were four ways to avoid AOL's huge software program when, in fact, there's an obvious fifth: If you use AOL just for e-mail, you could always close the account and save some money. But only if you're ready. Meanwhile, you've got options.